Even though Jets head coach Todd Bowles hasn’t named his tackle starters, Brandon Shell is preparing as if he’ll receive the nod.
“The competition helps,” Shell said. “But I always came with the mindset that I’m going to work regardless if I’m the starter or the backup.”
When asked after Wednesday’s practice, Bowles said he won’t name his starters for strategic reasoning.
Shell has been competing for the starting spot with Ben Ijalana and Brent Qvale throughout training camp and the preseason. Shell started the last two preseason matchups in addition to the final three games of 2016.